holding me back

USAGE SUMMARY

"holding me back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is preventing you from progressing or achieving a goal. For example, "Fear of failure has been holding me back from applying for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"What's holding me back?

The New Yorker

Dead women were holding me back.

The Guardian - Books

Nothing was holding me back.

The Washington Post

My shyness is holding me back.

The Guardian - Money

I resented her for holding me back.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I felt that was holding me back.

The New York Times - Sports

Was something fundamental holding me back?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Nobody could hold me back".

The New York Times

One thing holds me back.

The New York Times

That's what held me back".

The New York Times

This has held me back.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "holding me back", be specific about what is causing the impediment. Clarity enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "holding me back" without identifying the specific obstacle. General statements lack impact; pinpoint the exact cause to make your writing more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding me back" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive verb phrase where 'holding back' takes 'me' as its object. It indicates something or someone is preventing the subject from progressing or achieving a goal, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holding me back" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe impediments to progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples across various domains, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity is key—specify what is causing the obstruction. Alternatives like "hindering my progress" or "restricting my potential" can be used for variety. Overall, "holding me back" is a versatile and widely understood expression for articulating limitations and challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hindering my progress

Focuses on the act of slowing down or preventing advancement.

impeding my advancement

Emphasizes the obstruction of forward movement or career progression.

restricting my potential

Highlights the limitation of one's capabilities or opportunities.

stifling my growth

Implies suppression of personal or professional development.

constraining my abilities

Indicates a limitation on one's skills or talents.

curtailing my opportunities

Reduces the scope of available possibilities or chances.

slowing me down

Directly indicates a reduction in speed or progress.

limiting my options

Reduces the number of choices available.

sabotaging my efforts

Suggests deliberate undermining of one's attempts.

thwarting my ambitions

Implies the prevention of achieving one's goals.

FAQs

How can I use "holding me back" in a sentence?

You can use "holding me back" to describe something preventing progress. For example, "Fear of failure is holding me back from pursuing my dreams."

What are some alternatives to "holding me back"?

You can use alternatives like "hindering my progress", "impeding my advancement", or "restricting my potential" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "holds me back" instead of "holding me back"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct but have different meanings. "Holds me back" implies a recurring or habitual action, while "holding me back" typically refers to a current or ongoing situation.

What's the difference between "holding me back" and "held me back"?

"Holding me back" describes a present or continuous action, while "held me back" describes a past action. For example, "My lack of experience is holding me back now," versus "My lack of experience held me back in the past."